Dental practitioner risk, knowledge and practice with regard to the hepatitis B vaccination in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine dental practitioner risk, knowledge and practice with regard to hepatitis B vaccination in South Africa.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Dental students qualifying from the University of the Western Cape dental school between 1985 and 1995 (n = 173).


METHODS
A telephonic survey, using a structured questionnaire.


METHODS
Knowledge and compliance with hepatitis B vaccination.


RESULTS
The present study shows that (i) individuals are not maintaining HBV protection and (ii) individuals are at risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Guidelines need to be developed to ensure that the entire dental team is not only vaccinated against HBV, but that post-vaccination testing and follow-up for booster vaccination is strictly adhered to.
Naidoo
S
S
Department of Community Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines